Youth Identity and Political Participation in Urban Senegal: An Analysis

Youth identity in urban Senegal is shaped by cultural heritage and contemporary social pressures. Political participation among this demographic has seen increasing interest from scholars and policymakers alike. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a quantitative survey with over 500 respondents from various urban centers in Senegal and qualitative interviews to complement data analysis. Findings indicate that themes such as language, religion, and economic status significantly influence youth political participation. For instance, a higher proportion (38%) of respondents from the Wolof ethnic group reported they would vote if given the opportunity, compared to other groups. The analysis reveals nuanced patterns in how urban Senegalese youths perceive politics and their engagement levels vary based on these factors. Policy recommendations suggest targeted interventions aimed at addressing language barriers to improve political education among Wolof youth. Additionally, economic empowerment programmes are recommended for broader social inclusion.